Things To Do in Campania

They might be a two-hour drive from Sorrento, but these ruins are worth the trip – they put the Acropolis to shame. You'll find city walls, old towers, and – of course – temples. The Temple of Poseidon, as old as the Parthenon in Athens, is thought to be the best-preserved example of Doric columns in the world. There's a museum here too – swing by for untouched statues and frescoes that defy their age.

Roman emperors used to holiday here. More recently it was Gracie Fields’ stomping ground. Nowadays Capri is the playground of the rich and famous. It’s an intoxicating mix of greenery and flowers, narrow lanes and archways. Plus, it’s jam-packed with jewellery shops and boutiques whose racks are weighed down with the works of Gucci, Prada, D&G and Dior, to name just a few.

About 3-and-a-half hours away by coach lies the Eternal City. It may not have been built in a day, but you can see most of its star sights in one. Relive the days of the gladiators at the Colosseum, see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling work at the Sistine Chapel, and toss a wish-coated coin into the Trevi Fountain.

If you like live music, head to Ravello in early summer, when the town hosts its annual music festival. In its infant years, this celebration focused on the music of Wagner, but it’s grown to include jazz, chamber music, dance and even discussion groups on the artists.

Pompeii's the Campania region’s numero uno attraction, and lies about a 40-minute drive from Sorrento. Back in 79 AD, citizens fleeing the explosive Mount Vesuvius were buried in hot ash – along with the temples, streets, villas and amphitheatres of their town. They were uncovered in the 18th century and, considering they're 2,000 years old, they’re in pretty good nick.

This 1,281-metre volcano famously destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii. That was back in 79 AD and the last time it blew its top was in 1944. Today, 3,000,000 people live in its shadow, and you can drive up its winding roads to 200 metres from the top. After that, it’s a short walk to views that will – excuse the pun – blow you away.

An early night isn’t an option in Naples on July 15^th every year. This festival begins with a bang at 10pm, when a fireworks display lights up the square outside the church of Madonna del Carmine. Lie-ins are taboo, too. On July 16^th, masses are held inside the church on the hour, every hour, starting at 7am.

Positano is a 25-minute drive from Sorrento and its main beach is a popular one. To bypass the crowds, take the Via Marina footpath on the western end and you'll end up at pebbly Fornillo Beach. This place is off the radar, so you get space to relax and just a couple of bars and restaurants.

Sorrento is home to two small sandy strips, Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, which are about a mile apart. The sunbathing space at both beaches is topped up by jetties and pontoons of hireable sunloungers. Marina Grande, in particular, has a great reputation for its waterside fish restaurants.

Fancy a spot of pampering? Then head to Ischia. This island is packed with hot springs and mud baths – there are around 70 altogether. As a result, a whole host of thermal spa complexes and luxury health centres have been built around them. Book in for a treatment and you’ll discover a parallel universe of steam rooms and saunas.

As cities go, Naples isn't for the faint-hearted. The bustling streets are buzzing with beeping scooters and lively locals. It's as stereotypically Italian as a city can get, and that's what's so charming about it. Plus, it’s the birthplace of pizza, and tucking in to one here is par for the course. You'll find pizzerias everywhere, including one which is among the oldest in the world.

Set on Ischia’s southern shore, between Sant Angelo and Barano, Spiaggia dei Maronti gives a new meaning to golden sands. According to legends, pirates used to bury their treasure here. This stretch of sand unravels for 3 kilometres and there are thermal springs at one end.

For the sake of around 3 hours on a coach, you get the feast of historic sights that only Rome can offer. The Eternal City knows how to pack them in – the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, St Peter's Basillica and the Trevi Fountain are all here – so it's worth setting off early to get a full day in town. And don't forget to stop off for a coffee at a pavement café. After all, when in Rome…

Venture south from Amalfi and you’ll come to the busy port town of Salerno. Its main attraction is its cathedral, which dates back to the 11^th century. One of the standout features is the atrium, whose columns came from nearby Paestum. Down in the crypt, meanwhile, lies the Tomb of St Matthew, brought here in 954 AD.

Every evening in Sorrento's old Town Hall there's a musical celebrating the local way of life. This is a proper Sorrentine tradition in a top-notch setting. If you fancy it, you can also have dinner and drinks on the balcony. Get your tickets from the theatre or the info stand in Piazza Tasso.

Jeranto Beach is in the Natural Marine Reserve of Punta Campanella, and the best way to get here is by boat-taxi from Marina del Cantone, which is about a 30-minute drive from Sorrento. There is absolutely nothing here except the sea, the pebbly beach and the rocks – so this place will likely be all yours.

Just off the coast of the Bay of Naples is the jet-set isle of Capri. It's been a hotspot for the glitterati since Roman times – the Empire was once run from here – and even today, the shops are stacked with designer labels and everyone is dressed to impress. You don't have to be super-rich to enjoy this place, though. A coffee in a lofty café overlooking the bay won't cost the earth.

It’s true what the guide books say. Naples hasn’t got the romance of Venice or the style of Rome. But what it has got is bags of character. It’s gritty, it’s noisy, and in places it’s eyebrow-raising. But that’s where the appeal lies. This is an authentic slice of southern Italian life, complete with washing strung out between buildings and honking Fiats weaving through the streets.

Hot springs, soft sands and mud baths are all in a day’s work on Ischia. It's the biggest island in the Bay of Naples, and the place to be for pampering. You’ll find thermal spa complexes and luxury health resorts left, right and centre. And away from the steam rooms and saunas, you can check out the old town, Ischia Ponte. It’s just a short walk from where the ferry docks.

Duoglio Beach is just a kilometre from Amalfi. Reached via a set of steps, the stretch of sand here is nearly 200 metres long. There are some rocks in the sea, which serve as natural diving boards for swimmers.

An hour's drive out from Sorrento is Maiori beach. This sandy stretch is a break from the pebbles that Campania's beaches are known for, so it's worth the journey. There's a promenade that runs along the back of the sand and has a good helping of bars and restaurants where you can watch the world go by.

This popular beach is a 30-minute drive south of Sorrento, in a bay that's pebbly but picturesque. There are a handful of restaurants and bars looking over the water, and pedalos and canoes are here for the hiring. If you stay 'til sunset you'll see the locals dragging their boats up the beach for the night.

You might not think Sorrento has any sandy beaches, what with it being perched on a clifftop, but it actually has two. Marina Piccola is down the road from Piazza Tasso, and its big brother Marina Grande – at the west end of the town – is a good spot to chill and watch the fishing boats coming and going.

Head east from Sorrento and you’ll come to the busy coastal city of Salerno. The Villa Communale – an oasis of greenery in the middle of the city – is well worth a visit. But the must-see here is the 1,000-year-old cathedral and its mix of building styles – from Arabic-Norman to Byzantine. The crypt of St Matthew has to seen to be believed. It's a gleaming room of marble, frescoes and a bronze statue of the Saint.